Iron Sand Kettle / Mt.Fuji & Horse / Flat Round Shape

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

Each casting is handmade by skilled craftsmen. Fuji and a horse are drawn on this gem with a uniquely Japanese design.

It is said that iron kettles made of iron sand are so durable and resistant to deterioration that they can be used for 100 years. There are not many craftsmen in the world who can produce such iron kettles made of iron sand. Because Japan was closed off from the rest of the world in the past, there was more iron sand than iron, which led to the development of Japan's own iron sand processing method.
As a result, the wonderful technique of processing iron sand, which is difficult to handle as a material, has been inherited to this day.

In Japan, there is a long-held belief that gods reside in things and nature. Many high mountains have become objects of worship, and Mt. Fuji, the tallest and most beautiful mountain in Japan, is a good example. Horses have also historically been known as vehicles for people of high status and gods. In warfare, people built a relationship of trust with horses and fought together with them on a daily basis.
Horses were thought to bring "good things" to people, such as victory, benefits, and income. This casting shows such auspicious Mount Fuji and two horses.

It features a clean form with a thin fabric and a beautiful sand grain cast surface, and is highly regarded visually and functionally for its good heat conductivity. The simple, lean design has a universal beauty that is at home at any dining table, while inheriting the spirit of the tea ceremony. Inheriting the items used by grandparents and parents and using them for a long time will bring memories of those who have used them. One of the characteristics of cast metal is that because it is long-lasting, you can cherish things and enjoy their background.

It is recommended not only for daily use but also for interior decoration.
Water boiled in an iron kettle has a mild taste and is very tasty, and you can also consume iron with a high absorption rate.
We hope you will use it to build a healthy body.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：900 years ago / 1100AD / Heian period in Japan

Yamagata castings are metalwork made in Yamagata Prefecture. More than 1,000 years ago, a shogun (Shogun is a title of the conqueror at the time) visited Yamagata Prefecture with a group of foundry workers who discovered that the sand and soil quality of the region was ideal for casting molds. Today, there is a town named "Copper Town" still known as the town of foundry workers, and it was also the site of the first industrial complex in Japan during the Edo period (AD 1600).

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Mikio Arai / Arai Koubou
They have started business in 1972. The business began with the casting of machine parts by the previous generation and the production of crafts by his wife, Fumiko Arai, and has continued to the present day with a focus on handmade small-lot production. In the Heisei Era (1990s), members of the royal family visited the workshop privately and created bronze works. The quality of our work is one of the best in Japan, and we have delivered several pieces to the Imperial Household as gifts.

Craftsman Passion

"A traditional craft that is different from mass-produced products"
While each part of a casting is made by a division of labor, our workshop adopts an integrated manufacturing process that makes everything. We make everything from the materials to the design to create a work of art that we are satisfied with. This approach is very rare, and we produce casting every day with the desire to keep traditional crafts alive.

Achievement

Received the International Prize for Culture and the Arts
Multiple deliveries of imperial gifts

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：18cm
Depth：15cm
Height：20cm
Weight：1,871g

Material & Caution

Materials

Iron Sand

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Made to Order

Basically, this product is made to order, so it takes about a month from order to delivery. Please note that there may be unavoidable delays in delivery due to material shortages or delays in the production process.